A D-Day hero, who met King Charles and appeared on national television as part of the 80th anniversary commemorations this year, has died.

Royal Navy veteran Roy Harrison passed away nine days after celebrating his 99th birthday with his close-knit family.

Mr Harrison, who was living at a care home in Gillingham, died after a short illness at Medway Maritime Hospital on October 28.

The much-loved great-grandad was among those who played a key role in supporting the forces at Juno Beach in Normandy in the Second World War.

Joining up at 17, he lied about his age to serve his country as a gunner on board HMS Diadem protecting Allied convoys crossing the Atlantic and Arctic.

A highlight of his very full life was in June this year when he travelled with the British Legion to northern France for the D-Day celebrations attended by a host of VIPs including the royals.

He was interviewed by BBC Breakfast’s Charlie Stayt and presenter Sophie Raworth

Roy demobbed in November 1946 to train as a bricklayer, building many homes across Medway, including the bungalow he shared with his late wife Rachel.

He met Rachel in Scotland and they got engaged in 1946.

After a long-distance romance sharing letters, they finally got married in Greenock, Scotland, four years later.

Rachel’s aunt left her money in a will and they were able to buy a house in Northfleet for £900.

Roy was born on the Isle of Grain, one of four boys and the couple had six children, Linda, Brian, John, Clive, Gillian and Julie.

After the war, Roy had his own building company. He played football for Borden FC and also had trials for Gillingham.

In 1964, the family moved to South Africa where Roy built another home.

Five years later they returned to Medway but then retired to Lincolnshire to enjoy walks and cycle rides before moving to Buckinghamshire to be close to the youngest of 13 grandchildren.

In July this year, at the age of 98, Roy moved to Charing House Care Home in Canterbury Street to be near daughter Linda and son Clive.

His family said: “Dad was a family man. He had a twinkle in his eye and a joke for everyone.

“He loved gardening and just being outside in the fresh air”

His funeral is on Wednesday, November 28 at the Garden of England Crematorium, Bobbing.